Easter Sunday Features Sunshine and Milder Air Across Southwestern Connecticut

The date of Easter Sunday can happen as early as March 22 and as late as April 25, so weather conditions can vary greatly from year to year. We lucked out this year. Today will be mostly sunny and mild with a high temperature near 60° F across southwestern Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/kCe60D7W56

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 31, 2024

Paul

April to Begin on a Wet Note Across Southwestern Connecticut

Here we go again. After record-setting March precipitation at the Bridgeport climate station, April will begin in the same fashion. More than three-quarters of an inch of rain is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT. pic.twitter.com/57M0LO2qRj

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 30, 2024

Today Marks 54th Anniversary of Easter Sunday Snowstorm

The month of March is arguably the most unpredictable as far as weather is concerned in southwestern Connecticut. Today marks the 54th anniversary of the unforgettable Easter Sunday snowstorm of March 29, 1970. Remember, a snowstorm this late in the season in southwestern Connecticut is extremely rare. 

The normal high temperature is almost 20 degrees warmer than the freezing point, while the normal low temperature is 35 degrees. In addition, the higher angle of the Sun, its stronger rays, and more than 12 hours of daylight all contribute to a Springtime feel of the air.

That's why the Easter Sunday snowstorm is so memorable. Adding to its uniqueness was the fact that it happened on Easter, a day on which many people travel to church services and to see relatives. Below are copies of the front pages from The Bridgeport Telegram and The Bridgeport Post from Monday, March 30, 1970, courtesy of Sarah Greenberg of the Bridgeport Public Library's Historical Collections Department.

More than a half-foot of snow fell in the Greater Bridgeport area and, to make matters worse, the mercury plummeted to 16 degrees the following morning at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford and 14 degrees in Norwalk.

According to The Hour newspaper of Norwalk, eight inches of snow fell in the city. The front page of the Norwalk newspaper (below) from the following morning, March 30, is courtesy of Judy Rivas of the Norwalk Public Library.

"The weatherman pulled a somewhat premature April Fool's Day gag on Norwalkers Sunday and in the bargain, turned the Easter Parade into a trek more fitting for Siberian slopes than West Avenue," the article stated. "The snowfall, which came shortly after the traditional Easter Sunrise Service at Calf Pasture Beach, caught many a midmorning churchgoer unawares."

Although Easter occurred quite early that year, an Easter Sunday snowfall hadn't been recorded in southern Connecticut since 1915, when eight inches of snow fell April 3 and 4. The 1970 snowstorm began at about 8:30 a.m. and persisted throughout the day until early evening, accompanied by wind gusts up to 30 miles an hour. Remember, the date on which Easter falls fluctuates each year. It is observed on the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

"The state highway department began plowing roads Sunday, though reports indicated much of its snow-fighting equipment was stored away to begin Spring cleanup of sand and road trash instead of snow," according to The Hour. "State police, in a statewide survey of conditions, reported most roads were snow or ice-covered, with extremely slippery conditions."

The following day, Monday, March 30, was an unscheduled holiday for many area schoolchildren due to the snow, wind, and brutally cold temperatures. Only New Canaan and Darien opened their schools, "as most towns, faced with slippery roads and unplowed school yards, cancelled classes."

Although I was only 11 years old and in sixth-grade at the time, the memory of that snowstorm is as vivid today as it was 41 years ago. As a young child, I was excited that we didn't have to go to church or drive to grandma's house for dinner. Instead, our family spent the day at home, enjoying the snow and the holiday together. Oddly, four years later, 7.6" of snow fell at Sikorsky Airport on the same date.

Special thanks are extended to Judy Rivas of the Norwalk Public Library and Sarah Greenberg of the Bridgeport Public Library for helping me research the snowstorm. I appreciate their time and thoughtfulness.

Paul

Wettest March on Record at Bridgeport

The Bridgeport climate station reported more than one inch (1.12") of rain today, bringing the monthly total to 10.29" and making it the wettest March on record (10.2" in 2010). pic.twitter.com/qjAESfrNJE

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 28, 2024

One Month's Worth of Heavy Rain Fell Across Southwestern Connecticut Saturday

Fairfield reported more than three-and-a-half inches of rain from Saturday's storm. Here are the latest rainfall totals from across the region, courtesy of the National Weather Service: https://t.co/ehuHaicM03 pic.twitter.com/h1li7cBYPS

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 24, 2024

Paul

Flood Watch in Effect for Southwestern Connecticut Through Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 2 a.m. EDT

Approximately three inches of rain are expected across southwestern Connecticut through Sunday at 2 a.m. EDT. pic.twitter.com/MXT9J0GpGO

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 23, 2024

Paul

Old Man Winter Delivered Vernal Equinox Snowstorm Nine Years Ago Today

A late-March snowstorm on the Vernal Equinox brought a half-foot of snow to several local communities and caused most school systems throughout the region to dismiss early, Friday, March 20, 2015. The snow began falling just after noon, and it became steadier and heavier throughout the afternoon, resulting in numerous fender-benders on local roads.

According to the National Weather Service official report, Weston led the way with 6.5 inches, followed by Norwalk (6.3"), New Canaan (6.3"), Shelton (5.5"), and Easton (5.5"). Just over five inches (5.3") fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which was just shy for the record for the date of 5.5" set in 1958.

The snowfall pushed the monthly snow total to 16.7", which is well above the normal (5.1") for the month of March. It also pushed the snowfall for the 2014-2015 season to 57.8", which eclipses the previous year's total of 56.6" through the same date. The normal amount of snowfall through March 20 is just 25.7" based on 40 years of climatology.

Paul

Spring Arrives Today at 11:06 p.m. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere

Today is the last full day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere at 11:06 p.m. EDT. That's when the direct rays of the Sun pass over the Equator, technically creating "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth.

I've always observed the change of seasons with more reverence and awe than New Year's Eve. After all, the beginning of a new year is an arbitrary date which can actually be recognized just about any time during the year. However, an equinox or a solstice is a much more meaningful "event" and can be explained astronomically. The time is exact and changes every year although, for the most part, the date doesn't vary much.

The change of seasons is due to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth's axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun's rays most directly in the Summer. In the Winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.

Now that Winter is just about in our rear-view mirror, how did we fare as far as snow is concerned? Officially, slightly more than one foot (15.6") of snow fell this season at the Bridgeport climate station, which is slightly more than half the normal snowfall (30.8) through today.

Southwestern Connecticut didn't experience much of a Winter. However, recent history suggests that the official change of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere doesn't necessarily mean a smooth transition from Winter to Spring.

Happy Spring!

Paul

We're Enjoying the "Luck of the Irish" on St. Patrick's Day

The air temperature is 59° F with a 35° dew point and a generous southwest breeze under a mix of sunshine and clouds at the mouth of the Mill River near Sasco Hill in Southport. pic.twitter.com/eBPvaoa4ri

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 17, 2024

Paul

Mild March Madness Continues Across Southwestern Connecticut

The average temperature this month at the Bridgeport climate station is 47° F, which is 9.4° warmer-than-normal. Every day except March 1 has been warmer-than-normal, including seven days with average temperatures at least 10° above normal. pic.twitter.com/uSck0AH3WK

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 16, 2024

Paul

Record High "Room Temperature" of 72 Degrees Established at Bridgeport Today

The Bridgeport climate station established a record high temperature for today of 72° F (1:54 p.m. EDT), which eclipsed the previous mark of 65° set in 1990. The normal high temperature for March 15 is 47°. pic.twitter.com/OnOY2q5udD

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 15, 2024

Paul

March 13 Is an Unforgettable Day in Local Weather History

Three of the most unforgettable weather events in recent history happened on this date. Two powerful storms and an all-time record high temperature for the season occurred on March 13, highlighting the unpredictability of the weather this time of the year. If you're of a certain age, I'm sure you remember all three weather "events."

As hard as it may seem to believe, the temperature climbed to an incredible 84 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport on March 13, 1990. That established a record high for the date, month, and the Winter season. The normal high temperature for this date is only 45 degrees, and the normal low is a chilly 31.

During March, a battle rages between the Spring and Winter seasons, and that makes predicting the temperatures during this month as difficult as any time during the year. The amount of daylight continues to grow each day, and the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring, is a week away. But, Old Man Winter has no intentions of packing his bags just yet.

I distinctly remember watching and feeling the temperature climb that day due to a strong Westerly wind. The wind direction was extremely important, since the flow didn't come from the cooler waters on Long Island Sound. I was the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut 33 years ago, and our "weather video" showed people flocking to a local beach to soak up the sun and warm temperatures. I'll never forget that day.

Then, just three years later, Saturday, March 13, 1993, the famed Storm of the Century pounded the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. Locally, over a foot of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, winds gusted over 40 miles an hour, and wind chills hovered at or close to zero throughout the day. It was the second snowiest day on record for March, and it will always be remembered because it affected such a large area.

Very heavy snow accumulated in the south. Birmingham, Alabama, picked up a foot of snow. Snow covered the ground from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. The heavy snow spread northward along the East Coast to Maine. On Saturday, March 13, every airport in the Eastern states was closed. Snowfall ranged up to four feet on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina. Atlanta, Georgia, picked up three inches. Chattanooga, Tennessee, received up 21 inches. During the peak of the storm, about 30 percent of the entire country was hit by the rough weather.

Very warm, humid air moved across central Florida and, combined with the energy of the storm, helped spawn the 27 tornadoes. Winds were clocked at 99 mph on an oil platform off the Louisiana coast. Overall the storm took 285 lives, mostly because of tornadoes. The storm became the costliest nontropical storm in Florida's history. States of emergency were declared throughout the eastern portion of the country. The adjacent map shows the total snowfall for the storm.

I was called in for storm coverage that Saturday morning, and we remained on the air for more than 12 hours. Aside from the heavy snow, what I remember most from that day was the rapidly falling barometer. The pressure dropped to 28.35 inches in parts of New England, which is usually only observed in hurricanes. They peak at almost the exact opposite time of the year. By comparison, the normal average barometer reading for southwestern Connecticut is 30.02 inches.

The storm was deepening and intensifying as it moved toward New England, and the howling winds didn't let up. In the wake of the storm, back-to-back record low temperatures of 16 and 12 degrees were established on March 14 and 15, respectively, at Sikorsky Airport.

Then, 14 years ago, a powerful Nor'easter hammered Connecticut and, specifically, Fairfield County. The damaging wind gusts of 60 to 65 miles an hour, flooding rains, massive power outages, impassable roads, and week-long school closings won't soon be forgotten. We received incredible videos and photos of the widespread destruction across southwestern Connecticut. The following photos were sent by News 12 Connecticut viewers.

Former Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the storm caused more than $7 million in damage statewide, and she requested a visit from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to assess the damage. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security estimated $2.8 million worth of damage in Fairfield County alone. Fairfield County qualified for federal disaster assistance.

Preliminary damage estimates in Norwalk totaled more than $335,000, and damage to private homes was even greater. Damage to public buildings and parks, and the cost of funding police, fire, and city employee overtime reached about $335,065, according to the city's director of finance. The scoreboard at Brien McMahon High School was the single most expensive piece of property destroyed in the storm. It was estimated at $18,000.

Stamford officials estimate private property damage at $3.58 million. Damage to public property was estimated at $262,000, and total overtime for city crews at $143,086. Tens of thousands of people lost power, and three school systems were closed for a week. Heavy rain delivered up to one-half inch per hour during the afternoon of March 13. Here is a sampling of area rainfall totals for that day:

• New Canaan: 4.34"
• Easton: 4.33"
• Wilton: 4.01"
• Stratford: 3.33"
• Woodbridge: 3.12"
• Westport: 2.97"
• Milford: 2.91"

This is certainly a date which will be remembered for dramatic weather three times over the last 34 years.

Paul

Flood Watch in Effect for Southwestern Connecticut

A Flood Watch will be in effect for southwestern Connecticut from Saturday at 10 p.m. EST through Sunday at 9 a.m. EDT: https://t.co/xVhUMdHh2g pic.twitter.com/ygEhrpXfpt

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 9, 2024

Nearly Four Inches of Precipitation Measured This Month at Bridgeport Climate Station

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded just about four inches (3.99") of precipitation this month, which is more than three inches above normal (0.92") through Thursday. pic.twitter.com/yPGuPYQtTw

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 8, 2024

Paul

Record High Temperature Established at Bridgeport This Afternoon

Today's high temperature at the Bridgeport climate station was 65° F (3:47 p.m. EST), which established a record high for this date, breaking the previous mark of 58° (2004). The normal high temperature for March 3 is 44°. pic.twitter.com/p5AYGJtH8K

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorekWICC) March 3, 2024

Paul

February Warmer- and Drier-Than-Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut

The month of February was mild and dry across southwestern Connecticut. In fact, the first 13 days of the month featured above-average temperatures. Also, following two consecutive months which delivered a combined 14.41" of precipitation, last month offered a break for the overworked rain gauge.

The average monthly temperature for February at the Bridgeport climate station was 36.7° F, which is 3.6° warmer-than-normal. The range was 56° (Feb. 10) and 19° (Feb. 25). There were just eight days with below normal average temperatures. February 10 and 28 had average temperatures of 13 degrees above normal each day.

The total precipitation for February at the Bridgeport climate station was 1.86" which is 1.26" below normal. There were only two days with at least a half-inch of precipitation (Feb. 13 & Feb. 27). There were four days with at least one-tenth of an inch of precipitation and nine days with at least one-hundredth of an inch of precipitation.

Paul

"Meteorological Spring" and March Opened on a Snowy Note Nine Years Ago

A snowstorm socked southwestern Connecticut with an average of a half-foot of snow Sunday, March 1, 2015. Officially, five inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, tying the record for the date. However, Weston (7.5"), Darien (7"), Stamford (6"), and Fairfield (6") received at least a half-foot of snow. Here is the official report from the National Weather Service.

The five inches at Bridgeport brought the season total to 46.1" which is more than double the normal amount (22.4") through March 1. However, it still paled in comparison to the previous year's amount of 56.5" through the same date. It was also the 17th day out of 29 since February 1st with at least a trace of snow at Bridgeport.
                                

Paul